KESSLER-FROCH HEATS UP
Group Stage 2 – Saturday, April 24, 2010,
On SHOWTIME
(9 p.m. ET/PT, Same-Day Tape Delay)
From MCH Herning, Denmark
HERNING, Denmark (Feb. 17, 2010) – Mikkel Kessler (42-2, 32 KOs) and World Boxing Council (WBC) super middleweight champion Carl Froch (26-0, 20 KOs) kicked off an international media tour here Wednesday morning to discuss their upcoming Group Stage 2 bout in the Super Six World Boxing Classic on Saturday, April 24, on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/PT, same-day tape delay).
Known as “The Viking Warrior,’’ Denmark’s Kessler will be counting on the support of his home fans when he challenges Froch, of Nottingham, England, for the WBC 168-pound crown in a 12-round match at MCH Herning.
After one round in the Super Six, “King” Carl has two points, while Kessler needs a victory to get on the board.
“Never in my life have I lost a fight in Denmark,” said Kessler, a former World Boxing Association (WBA) super middle titleholder at a packed press conference. “My home fans give me the extra five percent I need to defeat Froch. I will knock him out. It will be the real ‘Viking Warrior’ in the ring.
“A victory is all that matters on April 24.’’
While Kessler can be certain to have a boisterous crowd behind him, Froch also will be supported by thousands of British fans who are expected to travel into the country to support their hero.
“I will be bringing the Froch army of fans,” the undefeated 32-year-old said. “I have been received very well here. Everything has been organized perfectly, so my fans will have a good time in Herning. It will be two proud warriors inside the ring and I will again defend my title in my opponent´s backyard.”
Promoter Kalle Sauerland has no doubts that his boxer, Kessler, will take care of business.
“Look, Mikkel, they did not dare to bring their (WBC) belt to this press conference because they are scared of losing it here in Denmark,” said Sauerland at the press conference. “The fight against Froch will be an exciting one. There is so much at stake. Their spectacular boxing styles will make April 24 a night to remember.’’
Sauerland presented Kessler a cardboard picture of Froch and his prediction that he would “decapitate Kessler.’’
“It will get a special place in my gym,” Kessler said. “It will further raise my motivation. Froch can say what he wants. I don´t think he will decapitate me.
“It will be the other way around!’’
Froch´s promoter, Mick Hennessy, believes his fighter has what it takes to win the fight and the
tournament.
“Carl will come here with his army of fans and beat Mikkel Kessler,” Hennessy said. “I think this is the most exciting clash of the entire group stages. It should be a real treat for the fans.”
Georg Soerensen, CEO of MCH Herning, is proud to host the biggest fight in Danish history.
“We are thrilled to stage the historic first-ever Super Six fight on Danish soil,” he said. “It is a big honor and we really look forward to April 24.”
Tickets will go on sale on Monday, Feb. 22, at billetnet.dk. In Denmark, the fight will be distributed
on pay-per-view on satellite, cable and IP TV-platform by the following operators: Satellite and IP-TV operator Viasat, cable TV- operators YouSee and Stofa, and IP TV operator TDC. To get a hold of a pay-per-view ticket, the customers need to contact the operators. Price per ticket is 499 DKR. The starting time for the fight will be around 22.30 Danish time.
SUPER SIX WORLD BOXING CLASSIC SCOREBOARD
Record Fighter Points
1-0 Arthur Abraham 3
1-0 Carl Froch 2
1-0 Andre Ward 2
0-1 Andre Dirrell 0
0-1 Mikkel Kessler 0
For information on all SHOWTIME Sports telecasts, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries from its events and complete information on the Super Six World Boxing Classic, please visit the website at http://www.sports.sho.com
ABOUT SUPER SIX WORLD BOXING CLASSIC
The inaugural Super Six World Boxing Classic is a ground-breaking, six-fighter tournament from SHOWTIME Sports® featuring the class of the super middleweight (168-pound) division from around the world. All bouts in the Super Six tournament will be contested under the Unified Rules of Boxing. Each boxer fights three bouts against different opponents in the field in the points-based Group Stage of competition (Win – 2 pts with a 1-pt bonus for KO/TKO; Loss – 0 pts; Draw – 1 pt.). After the Group Stage, the four fighters with the highest point totals will advance to the single-elimination Semi-Finals. The winners of the Semi-Final bouts will advance to the Finals and fight for the inaugural Super Six World Boxing Classic trophy.
About Showtime Networks Inc.
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL® and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILY ZONE® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ HD, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®.
Showing “negativity”
By Bart Barry
In covering the Froch-Dirrell fight that composed half Showtime’s kickoff of the “Super Six” tournament two Saturdays ago, British sportswriters loved the term “negativity” for describing Andre Dirrell’s fighting style. A contextual definition of negativity might go: Any tactic a prizefighter employs that does not bring him closer to an opponent’s unconsciousness.
Reading this clever and appropriate term – at once denotative and connotative – sets one to imagining how Dirrell’s fighting style could look if it were an opinion column, trying to persuade the way Dirrell fought while using Carl Froch’s style as its contrast to show both negativity and positivity. It must be tried.
I am the writer to try it. I have a larger vocabulary than others. I have better sentence structure. I hear words when I write them, making superior combinations. Do I utilize the first-person? Sure. Third-person, too. I like to switch. I was taught my talent allows me to write whatever way feels comfortable. It makes me better than another sportswriter who’d go about the job like this:
“Englishman Carl Froch, 32, successfully defended his WBC super middleweight title in the Trent FM Arena of Nottingham two weeks ago, decisioning 26 year-old American contender Andre Dirrell. Despite being favored by bettors, Froch initially struggled against the generally negative Dirrell.”
See that? It’s not stylish. There’s the lead-footed stalking of a nut graf, a typical get-me-over way of stuffing the opening paragraph with data galore. It’s writing meant to be read in 30-second bursts at the morning breakfast table, a fleshed-out scorecard. Better that I present Dirrell’s taunting of an outmatched opponent than waste 40 words on setup:
The man who calls himself “The Matrix” and walked to the ring dressed as an American soldier, complete with boxing shoes like wheat-nubuck Timberlands, realized immediately he had more flair and quickness than Froch. So he taunted Froch. The Englishman kept his right glove pinned to cheek while Dirrell glided sideways and flashed his tongue. His negativity took the form of a meandering disengagement that Froch that couldn’t overcome because even though nobody was landing punches and Dirrell was the prizefighter clearly not pursuing contact there’s a whole amorphous scoring criterion called “ring generalship” which, however unofficial scorekeepers describe it, probably reduces to something like: Who is happier in the fight?
“Froch’s forward movement and rough tactics began to take their toll on Dirrell in the fight’s middle. Neither fighter landed many clean blows. But Froch was the one making a fight of it, even if that meant fouling Dirrell. This impressed judges; apparently they wanted to see a fight after all.”
A semicolon? Are you kidding me? I can’t believe an editor would let anyone get away with a semicolon. There’s a tacit rule against semicolons. Use a dash. Start a new sentence with a conjunction. That semicolon cannot stand!
“As the American tired in the seventh, eighth and ninth rounds, Dirrell’s negativity became obvious. He leaped at Froch, throwing pieces of combinations, then hooked the Englishman behind the elbows. With his opponent’s forehead in his chest and gloves wrapped behind his back, Froch showed frustration at being unable to fight.”
Dirrell’s use of negativity became more pronounced after the seventh round. Evidently he was tired. He bounded inside, tucking his head against Froch’s body. He looped his arms round Froch and walked him backwards.
Hold on, you see why clinching is a negative thing? It slows the action. It precludes either man from damaging the other. It impresses only family at ringside and bores everyone else. By the way, am I at 1,000 words yet? Barely 600? Uh oh.
All right, back up and think this one through. When you’re holding, you see, you’re not punching. Your hands are in fists for a reason. Grappling in mitts is dull even for your dedicated fans at home watching on TV. Another way of thinking about this is . . .
(Editor’s note: This column just suffered a one-paragraph deduction. Barry has been warned several times for making the same argument different ways, wasting words and space to try to get to the end of his piece.)
“In the 10th round, his tally one fewer because of excessive holding, Dirrell engaged Froch. He hurt the Englishman, buckling Froch’s knees and forcing his retreat for the first time in the fight. At once, the American’s hand speed and alternative style, used positively, made progress.”
Positivity is the pursuit of your opponent’s unconsciousness. It is a tactic for chasing the only definitive conclusion a fight can have: a knockout. When a fighter eschews self-preservation as the highest ideal, putting himself at risk so as to endanger his opponent still more, he fights positively. It is the pleasing act of a man who realizes entertaining in the ring is a surer path to stardom than entertaining in a pre-fight conference-call, whatever his handlers have told him.
When Dirrell tucked his tongue in his mouth and his chin on his chest and threw well-leveraged punches, he was the superior prizefighter. But it took a point deduction to bring the positivity out of him. He did not deserve to be awarded Froch’s championship belt in Froch’s hometown because – however much we endorse impartiality – there is something unseemly about rewarding a man who visits another man’s hometown and fights as Dirrell did.
That negativity found no reward two Saturdays ago in England is a positive development for the “Super Six.” It instructs super middleweights, if no one else, that gaming judges with the flashes of hand speed American laymen so enjoy will not do.
There, that’s all I wanted to say. But it took till the final paragraphs of my column to move positively towards my point. Next time, I’m going to stay in one voice, first-person or third, organize my ideas better and just move forward with the argument.
Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter.com/bartbarry
SUPER SIX NEWS & NOTES
A fight recap of Arthur Abraham’s thrilling KO victory over Jermain Taylor and Carl Froch’s split decision win over Andre Dirrell in Group Stage 1 of Saturday’s Super Six World Boxing Classic is now available at the below link.
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid32475147001
Jer
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Kessler & Ward Weigh In On Saturday’s Results
Mikkel Kessler and Andre Ward were just spectators and fans on Saturday night as their fellow Super Six World Boxing Classic competitors battled in the first stage of the groundbreaking tournament, but the two fighters have plenty of thoughts about the exciting fights.
Kessler is eager to begin the tournament and enjoyed what he saw ringside at the o2 World Arena in Berlin, Germany, but Ward, who watched the fights from his training camp in Oakland, Calif., admits that he now feels a little added pressure to represent America after his fellow countrymen Taylor and Dirrell lost in Group Stage 1.
“I think that both fights Saturday night in Berlin and Nottingham showed the great potential of the Super Six,” Kessler said. “Both Abraham-Taylor and Froch-Dirrell left no doubt why these guys are a part of the Super Six tournament – they are all great fighters. I am really looking forward to enter the tournament now!
“I enjoyed myself at the o2 World Arena with a brilliant Super Six setup, a great fight and, of course, tactical notes for my future fights against Taylor and Abraham later on in the tournament. For now though, my focus is on the fight against Ward Nov. 21. I have a great feeling about that fight and the tournament in general.”
With Taylor losing by 12th round knockout and Dirrell winding up on the losing end of a split decision, Ward is the sole unbeaten American in the tournament.
“It’s unfortunate what happened to Jermain,’’ Ward said. “I thought he was fighting well through the first half of the fight. Abraham came on late and started to close the show. I think the punch he got hit with was a technical mistake. I think he thought Abraham was coming with a looping right hand, the kind of right hand that Abraham was throwing all night. This time he brought it down the middle and Jermain squeezed his gloves together and closed his eyes so he didn’t see it. Nevertheless, it was a great win for Abraham to start off the tournament and the Super Six and I congratulate him. I’m happy that Jermain is up and doing well and happy he’s doing better.
“I felt like Dirrell definitely won the fight and I felt like he deserved the nod. This fight is definitely going to take Dirrell to another level because he knows he can compete at the highest level. I definitely feel like I’m back in Greece all over again and even though the Americans fought well, unfortunately we were unable to get a victory in the first two fights. I’m definitely inspired to bring America their first victory in the Super Six tournament.’’
Kessler feels the added pressure now that his fellow Europeans have earned points in Group Stage 1.
“Of course I feel the pressure, now that Abraham and Froch have won their fights – but with a 43-fight record – I know all about pressure – you learn to live with it,” Kessler said. “The Ward fight is not different from any other fight at this level. I have my routines, and I know exactly how to deal with pressure. But, of course, a 3-0 European lead would make a statement on the global boxing scene.”
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Scorecards from Froch-Dirrell
Due to the media demand, below is a breakdown of the official scorecards from the Froch-Dirrell fight from the TrentFM Arena in Nottingham, England.
SCORECARDS:
Daniel Van de Wiele (Belgium) Massimo Barrovecchio (Italy) Alejandro Rochin (Mexico)
Froch Dirrell Froch Dirrell Froch Dirrell
9 10 10 9 10 9
10 9 9 10 9 10
9 10 10 9 10 9
10 9 9 10 9 10
10 9 9 10 9 10
10 9 10 9 10 9
10 9 10 9 10 9
10 9 10 9 10 9
10 9 9 10 9 10
9 10 9 10 9 10
9 10 10 9 9 10
9 10 10 9 9 10
TOTAL: 115-112 115-112 113-114
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FIGHT CAMP 360° Update
SHOWTIME Sports and NFL Films are entranced in the camps of Kessler and Ward as they prepare episode two of the critically acclaimed new reality show FIGHT CAMP 360°: Inside The Super Six World Boxing Classic. A release date for episode two of the show, which gives fight fans unprecedented access into the lives of the participants in the Super Six World Boxing Classic, will be announced soon.
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Ken Hershman “Thrilled” With Start of Super Six
As reported by Lem Satterfield at FanHouse on Monday, Ken Hershman, Senior Vice President and General Manager of SHOWTIME Sports, is thrilled with the success of the first two fights of the Super Six World Boxing Classic. Below are two select quotes from Hershman regarding the start of Group Stage 1. For the complete interview, you can visit: http://boxing.fanhouse.com/2009/10/19/showtime-exec-thrilled-after-early-bouts/
Hershman said that the two fights showed that “there are no easy fights in this tournament,” and, “You’re at risk at any moment in any of these fights.”
“The launch was great. The production was great. Carl Froch sold more tickets than he had ever sold with over 10,000 people in Nottingham, and Arthur Abraham sold out his arena with over 14,000 people,” said Hershman. “These events have been spectacular, so we’re really, really thrilled with how things are going so far.”
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Taylor Released from the Hospital
In case you didn’t see the press release from DiBella Entertainment and the Jermain Taylor camp, the former undisputed middleweight champion was released from the hospital in Berlin on Monday following a precautionary visit after suffering from concussion-like symptoms following his fight with Arthur Abraham on Saturday night. Taylor has been given clearance by a team of doctors to continue with a planned vacation in Europe.
“I want thank all my fans and those concerned and let everyone know I’m doing just fine and feeling good,” Taylor said. “I want to congratulate Arthur Abraham on his victory and wish him well in the tournament. Right now my plans are to relax and enjoy my vacation in Europe with my wife, Erica.”
Team Taylor is equally thankful for the outpouring of support shown by fans around the globe, and promises their number one goal is making sure their charge is fit and healthy.
“All of us at DiBella Entertainment are grateful that Jermain is feeling better after fighting his heart out on Saturday night,” said Lou DiBella, promoter of Taylor. “Jermain showed his warrior spirit after working tirelessly to approach the fight in the finest shape of his career. Happily, with the doctor’s blessing, he has been released from the Hospital and is presently relaxing in Europe. This is the best news we could’ve received.”
For more information on the Super Six World Boxing Classic including exclusive videos, photography, expert analysis from Al Bernstein and Steve Farhood, and much more please visit www.WorldBoxingClassic.com.
About SUPER SIX WORLD BOXING CLASSIC
The inaugural Super Six World Boxing Classic is a ground-breaking, six-fighter tournament from SHOWTIME Sports® featuring the class of the super middleweight (168-pound) division. The field is comprised world renowned fighters with a staggering combined record of 161-4-1 with 117 knockouts: former IBF middleweight champion “King” Arthur Abraham of Germany; U.S. Olympic medalist Andre “The Matrix” Dirrell of Flint, Mich.; WBC super middleweight champion Carl “The Cobra” Froch of England; WBA 168-pound champion Mikkel “Viking Warrior” Kessler of Denmark; former undisputed 160-pound world champion Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor of Little Rock, Ark.; and U.S. Olympic gold medalist Andre “S.O.G.” Ward of Oakland, Calif.
All bouts in the Super Six World Boxing Classic will be contested under the Unified Rules of Boxing. Each boxer fights three bouts against different opponents in the field in the points-based Group Stage of competition (Win – 2 pts with a 1-pt bonus for KO/TKO; Loss – 0 pts; Draw – 1 pt.). After the Group Stage, the four fighters with the highest point totals will advance to the single-elimination Semi-Finals. The winners of the Semi-Final bouts will advance to the Finals and fight for the inaugural Super Six World Boxing Classic trophy.
About Showtime Networks Inc.
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL® and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILY ZONE® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ HD, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®.
JESSE BRINKLEY SPEAKS ON THE SUPER SIX RESULTS
RENO, NV ( October 20, 2009) World rated super middleweight Jesse Brinkley watched with interest this past weekend as the Super Six World Boxing Classic got underway with Arthur Abraham scoring a twelfth round knockout of Jermain Taylor and Carl Froch taking a split decision over Andre Dirrell.
Said Brinkley, “I congratulate Abraham and Froch on their victories, but their bouts clearly showed the limitations of the tournaments. Neither of the fights on Saturday were scorchers. With all the buildup I would have expected to see much more action.”
Brinkley, sporting a record of 34-5-0 (22KO’s), is currently world ranked # 5 by the IBF and #7 by the WBC. Riding an eight bout winning streak, this year he owns a twelve round decision win over cross-town rival Joey Gilbert and a ten round decision over Mike Paschall, both of which took place in front of thousands of his hometown fans.
Continued Brinkley, “Jermain has been in some terrific bouts throughout his career but I don’t think he was truthfully ready for Abraham. When he fought Froch earlier this year, he was knocked out pretty hard and to get in the ring against Abraham, he looked more than a little gun-shy.
As far as Dirrell, there was nothing on his record to suggest he could fight at a world class level and his matchup against Froch showed exactly that. His only other bout this year was against Derrick Findley, which hardly gets you prepared to fight Froch. Honestly, Dirrell looked scared for most of the fight with all his movement.”
Amidst internet reports that if Jermain Taylor would not continue and Allan Green would be added to the mix or have to face Edison Miranda in a boxoff, Brinkley was perplexed.
“I watched Allan Green’s last fight against Tarvis Simms, it was all I could do to keep from falling asleep. Miranda at one point was a beast, but against Andre Ward he lost every round. Neither Green or Miranda will be able to compete against Froch, Abraham or Kessler.”
Brinkley concluded by proposing to Showtime’s Ken Hershman an interesting idea. “Obviously, if Jermain can’t continue in the tournament I’d be very interested in taking his place. If he needs a boxoff, we can do a three way tournament in one night between Green, Miranda and myself. How about that for some excitement?”
Reno, Nevada based “Let’s Get It On” Promotions was founded in 2000 by legendary boxing referee Mills Lane. In early 2005 he was joined by sons Terry and Tommy in the operations of the company. Along with super middleweight contender Jesse Brinkley, “Let’s Get It On” Promotions also promotes lightweight contender Rustam Nugaev, sensational lightweight prospect Bayan Jargal, super middleweight prospect Brandon Gonzales and highly regarded brothers Tyler and Derek Hinkey. They have consistently promoted world class boxing events on a national basis.
Further information on “Let’s Get It On” Promotions can be viewed at www.letsgetitonboxing.com
FROCH GETS SOME HOMECOOKING AND RETAINS WBC SUPER MIDDLE CROWN OVER DIRRELL
By Marc Abrams
Carl Froch scored a generous split decision over Andre Dirrell to retain the WBC Super Middleweight crown in front of Froch’s hometown fans in Nottingham, England.
Dirrell counter punched very well despite a lot of rough house activity from both fighters. Dirrell did use a lot of movement which some could be considered running but he used his legs to create space and land some of the counters off of the in effective aggressiveness of the champ.
Froch did have some movements but Dirrell jabbed and even rocked Froch with a hard left in round ten. It was a round earlier where it was Dirrell being docked a point despite Froch not being punished for hitting on the break or behind the head.
Dirrell had the better handspeed and defense yet he was not compensated for that on the judges scorecards.
Froch of Nottingham, England is now 26-0 as he gained two cards by 115-112 tallies. Dirrell, of Flint, Michigan is now 18-1 took a third card 114-113
FROCH AND DIRRELL HURL INSULTS IN NOTTINGHAM
The Two Super Six Fighters Meet Face-to-Face
NOTTINGHAM, England (October 15, 2009)—Tensions mounted in Nottingham on Wednesday during the final press conference for Super Six World Boxing Classic participants Carl Froch and Andre Dirrell.
Froch turned up approximately 15 minutes late for the midday press conference. Dirrell and his promoter Gary Shaw took that as a sign of great disrespect. The stage was set for a verbal explosion once the conference finally got underway.
During the tradition post-conference faceoff photo opportunity, Dirrell taunted and laughed in the face of Froch.
The two have traded verbal jabs for weeks as the intensity builds toward this Saturday’s showdown at Trent FM Arena in Nottingham, England, live on SHOWTIME® at 8 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). The live Froch vs. Dirrell fight will air immediately following the Arthur Abraham vs. Jermain Taylor bout, shown on tape-delay from the o2 World Arena in Berlin Germany.
Quotes from the Press Conference:
Carl Froch (25-0, 20 KOs), WBC Super Middleweight World Champion of Nottingham
“My fans, the people of Nottingham and I think the boxing fans around the world know what I’m capable of and what I’m about. I’ve proved that time and time again. I’ve fought top quality opposition throughout my career and made short work of 80% of them.”
“Andre Dirrell certainly talks a good fight but 25 of my previous opponents also talked a lot of trash and it didn’t get them anywhere. Talk is cheap and I’m not going to get involved in a slanging match. The fists are going to do the talking on the night.”
“I don’t get wound up by words and Dirrell has had a lot of words to say. I met him in New York three months out from the contest and we exchanged friendly banter, handshakes and hugs because fight time’s not really on the agenda at that point. But the minute my back was turned I was reading a lot of trash in the papers and seeing interviews on the internet. Andre Dirrell and his team lack class as far as I’m concerned. The language has been bad, the banters been terrible and I don’t want to get involved in any of that nonsense.”
“He knows he’s in deep water on Saturday night. He knows that once I start connecting with the bombs he’s going to be in serious trouble. I’ve got a feeling he’s going to run and run scared but it’s twelve by three minutes rounds and I will catch up with him and when I do I’m going to do some serious damage.”
“You all know the script, you know what’s happening, you know what’s coming. I bring it every time and I’ll be brining it Saturday night. I’m looking forward to it, I cannot wait. That belt’s going nowhere, it’s staying in Nottingham.
“I’d like to thank the fans because we’re looking at a full house of 8,000 screaming people. The fans know that they’re in for a good night and hopefully Andre Dirrell has trained as hard as he says he has because that means he might be fit enough to go an extra round or two when the bombs start landing. The one thing the fans know that with my style it’s always going to be an exciting night so they’ll get value for money and I’ll return their support with a great performance.”
Andre Dirrell (18-0, 13 KOs), 2004 U.S. Olympic Bronze Medalist of Flint, Mich.
“We had an excellent camp. I worked my ass off and now its time to shine. I’ve been working hard my whole life but I put in the extra ten yards for this camp so that I could come here and do what I’ve been dreaming of for 16 years and that’s to bring back the WBC title. Froch currently holds that title and he’s a hell of a fighter but I will be Champion and I will make short work of him.”
“I hope he cherishes the title now because it will be coming home to the United States with me and I will prove that I’m the superior being. I’m taking that belt home, guaranteed. I’m giving my word right now.”
“The crowd won’t get a chance to do nothing. The loudest person in there, no disrespect to Carl Froch at all will be his mother because she’ll probably be crying. The fans I will silence because I’ll be in there doing my job 100%.”
Mick Hennessy of Hennessy Sports:
“It’s an incredible tournament that’s set to transcend boxing and I’m delighted to be associated with it. I believe it’s the best thing to happen to the sport in at least the last 20 years.”
“It’s a throwback fight, an absolutely brilliant contest between a young, hotshot American who’s unbeaten and a former Olympic medallist who is very, very highly thought of in the U.S. He’s up against the current WBC Champion, the best belt in the business, and the best 168 pound fighter on the planet right now in Carl Froch. It really is something to behold.”
“It’s going to be a hell of an event at the Trent FM Arena on Saturday night. We’re almost sold out, we’re down to the last few tickets right now. Not only has it got a very good undercard and a classic main event but the fans will also get to see on the big screens another mega fight from the O2 World Arena in Berlin between Arthur Abraham and Jermain Taylor, another classic Super Six fight. Of course for the fans at home both fights will also be available live on Primetime, Sky channel 480.”
Gary Shaw of Gary Shaw Productions:
“I want to thank Ken Hershman and Showtime for establishing this great tournament with six truly world class fighters. There are no losers and the big winners from this tournament aside from the fighters will be the fans. The great thing about this tournament is that we don’t just have great fights this weekend, we’ll have great fights one after the other throughout this tournament.”
Robert McCracken (former British and Commonwealth Champion and Froch’s trainer)
“Training’s gone really well. Obviously people close to Carl knew there were problems before the Jermain Taylor fight with the ankle injury. He missed four weeks running over that. He was around 70% for that one but he’s smack on for this one. He’s going in at 100%, everything’s good. He’s doing what he normally does and he’s looking awesome in the gym.”
“It’s the same for all these guys, Pascal, Taylor and Dirrell. They watch Carl on tape and think, I can do this or that with him but once the fight starts they realise how awkward he is and how hard he hits. It’s a different ballgame. Dirrell’s a good kid, a good talent but he’s not fought anybody anywhere near the class of Carl. He isn’t ready, it’s that simple. I’m sure he’ll give it his best on the night but it won’t be good enough so the Cobra will retain his title.”
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For more information on the Super Six World Boxing Classic including exclusive videos, photography, expert analysis from Al Bernstein and Steve Farhood, and much more please visit www.WorldBoxingClassic.com.
About SUPER SIX WORLD BOXING CLASSIC
The inaugural Super Six World Boxing Classic is a ground-breaking, six-fighter tournament from SHOWTIME Sports® featuring the class of the super middleweight (168-pound) division. The field is comprised of world renowned fighters with a staggering combined record of 161-4-1 with 117 knockouts: former IBF middleweight champion “King” Arthur Abraham of Germany; U.S. Olympic medalist Andre “The Matrix” Dirrell of Flint, Mich.; WBC super middleweight champion Carl “The Cobra” Froch of England; WBA 168-pound champion Mikkel “Viking Warrior” Kessler of Denmark; former undisputed 160-pound world champion Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor of Little Rock, Ark.; and U.S. Olympic gold medalist Andre “S.O.G.” Ward of Oakland, Calif.
All bouts in the Super Six World Boxing Classic will be contested under the Unified Rules of Boxing. Each boxer fights three bouts against different opponents in the field in the points-based Group Stage of competition (Win – 2 pts with a 1-pt bonus for KO/TKO; Loss – 0 pts; Draw – 1 pt.). After the Group Stage, the four fighters with the highest point totals will advance to the single-elimination Semi-Finals. The winners of the Semi-Final bouts will advance to the Finals and fight for the inaugural Super Six World Boxing Classic trophy.
About Showtime Networks Inc.
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL® and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILY ZONE® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ HD, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®.
CARL FROCH MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
On Andre Dirrell’s trash talk in the lead up to the fight:
“I don’t look too much into mind games before a fight because I’ve heard it all before. I’ve had 25 fights and every one of my opponents said they’d decapitate me or knock me out or whatever. They all come with their own game plan and their own story but every fighter has to believe in themselves and be confident.
“Maybe he’s coming over here super confident and I’m sure he will be right up until the first bell but as soon as I start connecting with those ten ounce gloves he’ll start to realise he’s in there with a proven, strong, warrior and World Champion and that he’s a long way from home.”
On Dirrell’s more polite approach since arriving in Nottingham:
“If he’s calming down on the trash talk then it’s obviously dawning on him the task at hand. He’s got to fight a proven world champion, who’s beaten a man who’s now World Light Heavyweight Champion (Jean Pascal) and then went to America to beat Jermain Taylor, a man who was an Undisputed World Middleweight Champ.”
On fighting at home in Nottingham at the Trent FM Arena:
“Being at home with 8,000 screaming fans all in your favor it gives you an edge so I’m looking forward to that.
I know what it’s like to have the fans against you, booing every time you land a shot and cheering every time you get smacked on the chin and it’s not very nice.”
On coping with Dirrell’s vaunted speed:
“Speed’s not a problem if you’re not there to be hit and it’s my job to ensure I’m not there to be hit and keep my guard up and that’s what I’ve been working on in training.”
On his tactics for Dirrell:
“I’m going to be gunning for him. I’m going to be hitting him hard to the body early on and once he starts to slow down then I’ll drag him into a fight and we’ll find out what he’s got.
“Styles make fight, it’s an old cliché but its true. I’ve seen a few flaws in his style in the fights I’ve watched but I’m sure I’ve looked terrible in some of my fights and he could watch those and pick holes in my armory.”
On his preparations for the fight:
“All I’ve been concentrating on is doing my work right. I’ve had a great camp; my running’s been brilliant so I’m super fit. My heart rate’s down where it wants to be. My weight is down, I was already a pound inside the 12-stone limit when I woke up this morning so that won’t be a problem. I’m eating good food, I’m feeling very strong and I’ve done some real damage in my sparring without mentioning any names. So I’m feeling as strong as I’ve ever done and punching harder than ever.”
On the Super Six tournament:
“We’ve got a win, lose or draw scenario which is very unique in boxing. If you’re in a position where you’re defending you’re title and you were to drop a decision and lose the title then you’re in no mans lads trying to build yourself back up but in the Super Six we have the privilege of three fights guaranteed at world level and getting paid well win, lose or draw so there’s a bit of a safety net there but I don’t look at it like that.
“I’m a winner and I don’t go in there thinking of anything else other than winning. My style has always been geared towards knocking the other guy out. If I’m going into round eleven having won the previous ten I still want to knock the other guy out.”
On an ankle injury suffered prior to his last fight, a dramatic final round KO of former undisputed Middleweight Champ and fellow Super Six participant, Jermain Taylor:
“I had an ankle problem before the Taylor fight when I fell when I was out running. I turned it over pretty bad. I actually contemplated pulling out. It was around a month before the fight but the last thing I wanted to do was pull out but I was limping and hobbling around. It was a strained lateral ligament.”
For more information on the Super Six World Boxing Classic including exclusive videos, photography, expert analysis from Al Bernstein and Steve Farhood, and much more please visit www.WorldBoxingClassic.com or visit http://www.hennessysports.com/worldboxingclassic.htm.
About SUPER SIX WORLD BOXING CLASSIC
The inaugural Super Six World Boxing Classic is a ground-breaking, six-fighter tournament from SHOWTIME Sports® featuring the class of the super middleweight (168-pound) division. The field is comprised of world renowned fighters with a staggering combined record of 161-4-1 with 117 knockouts: former IBF middleweight champion “King” Arthur Abraham of Germany; U.S. Olympic medalist Andre “The Matrix” Dirrell of Flint, Mich.; WBC super middleweight champion Carl “The Cobra” Froch of England; WBA 168-pound champion Mikkel “Viking Warrior” Kessler of Denmark; former undisputed 160-pound world champion Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor of Little Rock, Ark.; and U.S. Olympic gold medalist Andre “S.O.G.” Ward of Oakland, Calif.
All bouts in the Super Six World Boxing Classic will be contested under the Unified Rules of Boxing. Each boxer fights three bouts against different opponents in the field in the points-based Group Stage of competition (Win – 2 pts with a 1-pt bonus for KO/TKO; Loss – 0 pts; Draw – 1 pt.). After the Group Stage, the four fighters with the highest point totals will advance to the single-elimination Semi-Finals. The winners of the Semi-Final bouts will advance to the Finals and fight for the inaugural Super Six World Boxing Classic trophy.
About Primetime
Primetime – Sky Guide 480 is the UK’s newest pay per view sporting and entertainment channel. Primetime brings you exclusive access to the hottest live events from the UK and abroad. Get the top ticket in town zapped straight into your living room through your Sky box for a night of sporting, music, and ‘Golden Ticket’ events. Viewers must register before the event via http://www.primetimelive.co.uk or by calling 0871 200 4444 (+448702 416 666 from the Republic of Ireland).
About Showtime Networks Inc.
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL® and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILY ZONE® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ HD, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®.
ANDRE DIRRELL MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES FOR SHOWTIME SPORTS® SUPER SIX WORLD BOXING CLASSIC
Monday, Oct. 12 in Nottingham, England
Please find attached a selection of images and quotes from Andre Dirrell’s media workout on Monday, Oct. 12 in Nottingham, England as the unbeaten American winds down preparation for his fight showdown against WBC Super Middleweight champ Carl Froch this Saturday at the Trent FM Arena.
Dirrell will take on Froch as part of Group Stage 1 of SHOWTIME’s® groundbreaking Super Six World Boxing Classic at LIVE at 8 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast) on SHOWTIME.
“King” Arthur Abraham (30-0, 24 KOs) of Berlin, Germany, will face former undisputed middleweight titleholder Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor (28-3-1, 17 KOs) of Little Rock, Ark., from the o2 World Arena in Berlin, Germany on same-day-tape-delay.
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND NEW YORK (Oct. 12, 2009) –
On fighting Froch for the WBC World Super Middleweight title:
“I want that belt, that’s my sole mission and I plan on taking it back to America. I can’t wait to get in that ring and shine and show the world what I can do.”
On the Super Six tournament:
“You got all the stars and you can’t ask for more that that. You got four world champions, you got four undefeated fighters and all six of us in this tournament have the will to win, to bring something new to the game and become superstars. This tournament holds the cream of the crop and a star will emerge and I believe that star is going to be me.”
On his tip for reaching the Super Six final:
“I favor Mikkel Kessler to get to the final, I don’t favor him to beat me of course, I don’t favor anybody to beat me.”
On jetlag following his arrival and fighting against Froch at 2 a.m. in the morning:
“I’m feeling good. I’m not worried about the jetlag because the fight is going to be at 2 a.m. here, which is 8 p.m. back in the States, and that’s the time I’m used to fighting at anyway. I’ve adjusted my schedule while I’m here to work out to those times so I’ll be doing my workouts this week at 2 in the morning.”
On the remainder of fight week:
“Everything’s done. The hard work is done and I’m in the best shape I can possibly be in so this is cool down week”
For more information on the Super Six World Boxing Classic including exclusive videos, photography, expert analysis from Al Bernstein and Steve Farhood, and much more please visit www.WorldBoxingClassic.com.
About SUPER SIX WORLD BOXING CLASSIC
The inaugural Super Six World Boxing Classic is a ground-breaking, six-fighter tournament from SHOWTIME Sports® featuring the class of the super middleweight (168-pound) division. The field is comprised world renowned fighters with a staggering combined record of 161-4-1 with 117 knockouts: former IBF middleweight champion “King” Arthur Abraham of Germany; U.S. Olympic medalist Andre “The Matrix” Dirrell of Flint, Mich.; WBC super middleweight champion Carl “The Cobra” Froch of England; WBA 168-pound champion Mikkel “Viking Warrior” Kessler of Denmark; former undisputed 160-pound world champion Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor of Little Rock, Ark.; and U.S. Olympic gold medalist Andre “S.O.G.” Ward of Oakland, Calif.
All bouts in the Super Six World Boxing Classic will be contested under the Unified Rules of Boxing. Each boxer fights three bouts against different opponents in the field in the points-based Group Stage of competition (Win – 2 pts with a 1-pt bonus for KO/TKO; Loss – 0 pts; Draw – 1 pt.). After the Group Stage, the four fighters with the highest point totals will advance to the single-elimination Semi-Finals. The winners of the Semi-Final bouts will advance to the Finals and fight for the inaugural Super Six World Boxing Classic trophy.
About Showtime Networks Inc.
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL® and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILY ZONE® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ HD, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®.
“HAPPY COLUMBUS DAY, CARL FROCH. YOU’RE ABOUT TO DISCOVER THAT YOU’RE IN OVER YOUR HEAD WITH ME!” – “The Matrix” Andre Dirrell
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND (Columbus Day 2009) — Like Christopher Columbus, World Boxing Council (WBC) super middleweight champion CARL “The Cobra” FROCH is about to make a new discovery, courtesy undefeated No. 1 contender and American Dream ”The Matrix” ANDRE DIRRELL. Froch and Dirrell battle for the world title This Saturday! October 17, live on SHOWTIME® from the Trent FM Arena in Nottingham, England, beginning at 8 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast). The battle of unbeatens – the second half of a doubleheader on SHOWTIME® — will be the first fight for Froch and Dirrell in the Super Six World Boxing Classic.
“Froch is going to discover on October 17 that his new world really is flat … flat on his back,” said Dirrell. “I’m going to expose him like a “Page 3″ pinup in The Sun. I’ve had my best training camp ever and I’m ready to shiver Froch’s timbers from stem to stern. This is step one in showing that I am the heir apparent to the throne Joe Calzaghe vacated as the king of the super middleweight division, something Froch has never been able to achieve. I’m going to slam Froch from both sides of the plate. I’m going to go Mickey Mantle on him! Remember this…Carl Froch can kiss my Yankee Doodle!”
Undefeated WBC super middleweight champion Carl Froch (25-0, 20 KOs), of Nottingham, England, and unbeaten, 2004 Olympic U.S. medalist Andre Dirrell (18-0, 13 KOs), of Flint, Mich., stage their 12-round showdown at Trent FM Arena in Nottingham, England, on Saturday, Oct. 17, live on SHOWTIME® (8 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).
The battle of unbeatens – the second half of a doubleheader on SHOWTIME® — will be for Froch’s WBC 168-pound title and the first fight for Froch and Dirrell in the Super Six World Boxing Classic.
In the opening Super Six Group Stage 1 bout on Oct. 17, undefeated former IBF middleweight champion “King’’ Arthur Abraham (30-0, 24 KOs), of Germany, will face former undisputed 160-pound titleholder Jermain “Bad Intentions’’ Taylor (28-3-1, 17 KOs), of Little Rock, Ark., at 02 World Arena in Berlin, Germany. The Abraham-Taylor 12-rounder will be shown on SHOWTIME on same day delay.
For information on all SHOWTIME Sports telecasts, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries from its events and complete information on the Super Six World Boxing Classic, please visit the website at http://www.sports.sho.com
About SUPER SIX WORLD BOXING CLASSIC
The inaugural Super Six World Boxing Classic is a ground-breaking, six-fighter tournament from SHOWTIME Sports® featuring the class of the super middleweight (168-pound) division. The field is comprised of world renowned fighters with a staggering combined record of 161-4-1 with 117 knockouts: former IBF middleweight champion “King” Arthur Abraham of Germany; U.S. Olympic medalist Andre “The Matrix” Dirrell of Flint, Mich.; WBC super middleweight champion Carl “The Cobra” Froch of England; WBA 168-pound champion Mikkel “Viking Warrior” Kessler of Denmark; former undisputed 160-pound world champion Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor of Little Rock, Ark.; and U.S. Olympic gold medalist Andre “S.O.G.” Ward of Oakland, Calif.
All bouts in the Super Six World Boxing Classic will be contested under the Unified Rules of Boxing. Each boxer fights three bouts against different opponents in the field in the points-based Group Stage of competition (Win – 2 pts with a 1-pt bonus for KO/TKO; Loss – 0 pts; Draw – 1 pt.). After the Group Stage, the four fighters with the highest point totals will advance to the single-elimination Semi-Finals. The winners of the Semi-Final bouts will advance to the Finals and fight for the inaugural Super Six World Boxing Classic trophy.
About Showtime Networks Inc.
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL® and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILY ZONE® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ HD, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®.
“I’M GOING TO GO MICKEY MANTLE ON FROCH!”- “The Matrix” Andre Dirrell
BIG BEAR LAKE, CALIF. (October 8, 2009) – Undefeated No. 1 super middleweight contender and American Dream “The Matrix” ANDRE DIRRELL is finishing up his most grueling and productive training camp ever as he prepares for his first world title fight, challenging World Boxing Council (WBC) super middleweight champion Carl Froch in a battle of undefeated warriors. Dirrell breaks camp for Mother England on Saturday.
“I’ve spent my whole life dreaming of this night when I fight for the world title,” said Dirrell. “Froch has been foaming at the mouth saying how hopeless my chances are against him. Frankly I find his rants tiresome. No wonder Joe Calzaghe didn’t give him a shot. He’s a gasbag. He may have fought southpaws and orthodox style fighters, but he has NEVER fought a switch-hitter like me. I’m going to go Mickey Mantle on him and shoot the works from the moment the bell rings. Mr. Froch can kiss my Yankee Doodle.”
Dirrell’s promoter, Gary Shaw, stated similar sentiments. “Andre is considered the dark horse of this tournament and that’s just fine with us,” said Shaw. “No one gave him a chance against Victor Oganov (28-1, 28 KOs), or Anthony Hanshaw (21-1-1, 14 KOs), and he had an early night with both of them, knocking them out in the sixth and fifth rounds, respectively. I have no doubt Andre will be the new WBC super middleweight champion on October 17 and I have no doubt Andre will be in the finals of this illustrious tournament.
Undefeated WBC super middleweight champion Carl Froch (25-0, 20 KOs), of Nottingham, England, and unbeaten, 2004 Olympic U.S. medalist Andre Dirrell (18-0, 13 KOs), of Flint, Mich., stage their 12-round showdown at Trent FM Arena in Nottingham, England, on Saturday, Oct. 17, live on SHOWTIME® (8 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).
The battle of unbeatens – the second half of a doubleheader on SHOWTIME® — will be for Froch’s WBC 168-pound title and the first fight for Froch and Dirrell in the Super Six World Boxing Classic.
In the opening Super Six Group Stage 1 bout on Oct. 17, undefeated former IBF middleweight champion “King’’ Arthur Abraham (30-0, 24 KOs), of Germany, will face former undisputed 160-pound titleholder Jermain “Bad Intentions’’ Taylor (28-3-1, 17 KOs), of Little Rock, Ark., at 02 World Arena in Berlin, Germany. The Abraham-Taylor 12-rounder will be shown on SHOWTIME on same day delay.
For information on all SHOWTIME Sports telecasts, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries from its events and complete information on the Super Six World Boxing Classic, please visit the website at http://www.sports.sho.com
About SUPER SIX WORLD BOXING CLASSIC
The inaugural Super Six World Boxing Classic is a ground-breaking, six-fighter tournament from SHOWTIME Sports® featuring the class of the super middleweight (168-pound) division. The field is comprised of world renowned fighters with a staggering combined record of 161-4-1 with 117 knockouts: former IBF middleweight champion “King” Arthur Abraham of Germany; U.S. Olympic medalist Andre “The Matrix” Dirrell of Flint, Mich.; WBC super middleweight champion Carl “The Cobra” Froch of England; WBA 168-pound champion Mikkel “Viking Warrior” Kessler of Denmark; former undisputed 160-pound world champion Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor of Little Rock, Ark.; and U.S. Olympic gold medalist Andre “S.O.G.” Ward of Oakland, Calif.
All bouts in the Super Six World Boxing Classic will be contested under the Unified Rules of Boxing. Each boxer fights three bouts against different opponents in the field in the points-based Group Stage of competition (Win – 2 pts with a 1-pt bonus for KO/TKO; Loss – 0 pts; Draw – 1 pt.). After the Group Stage, the four fighters with the highest point totals will advance to the single-elimination Semi-Finals. The winners of the Semi-Final bouts will advance to the Finals and fight for the inaugural Super Six World Boxing Classic trophy.
About Showtime Networks Inc.
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL® and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILY ZONE® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ HD, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®.
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